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Mali: Tuareg rebels 'defeat government army in Kidal' Mali: Tuareg rebels 'defeat government army in Kidal'
(about 5 hours later)
Tuareg rebels in Mali say they have defeated government forces in heavy fighting for control of the key northern town of Kidal.Tuareg rebels in Mali say they have defeated government forces in heavy fighting for control of the key northern town of Kidal.
Several government soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, a rebel spokesman said.Several government soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, a rebel spokesman said.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire.UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire.
Fighting first broke out on Saturday when Mali's Prime Minister Moussa Mara visited Kidal to show support for government forces based there.Fighting first broke out on Saturday when Mali's Prime Minister Moussa Mara visited Kidal to show support for government forces based there.
He had also hoped to revive peace talks with the rebels, who belong to the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).He had also hoped to revive peace talks with the rebels, who belong to the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).
The group is fighting for the independence of northern Mali.The group is fighting for the independence of northern Mali.
Control of Kidal was split between the MNLA and the government.Control of Kidal was split between the MNLA and the government.
The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from the capital, Bamako, that both sides brought in reinforcements for Wednesday's battle.The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from the capital, Bamako, that both sides brought in reinforcements for Wednesday's battle.
Fighting began when the Malian army fired rockets on the governor's compound, which had been held by the MNLA since Saturday, she says.Fighting began when the Malian army fired rockets on the governor's compound, which had been held by the MNLA since Saturday, she says.
An MNLA spokesman said they had defeated government forces after six hours of fighting, and their flag was flying over the military base in Kidal.An MNLA spokesman said they had defeated government forces after six hours of fighting, and their flag was flying over the military base in Kidal.
The government has not yet commented on the MNLA's claims.The government has not yet commented on the MNLA's claims.
MNLA official Attaye Ag Mohamed told Reuters news agency hat the group had taken control of "all of Kidal, including Malian Military Camp 1, the regional governor's office and the Kidal fortress" MNLA official Attaye Ag Mohamed told Reuters news agency that the group had taken control of "all of Kidal, including Malian Military Camp 1, the regional governor's office and the Kidal fortress."
"On our side, two fighters were killed and eight others were wounded" he added. "On our side, two fighters were killed and eight others were wounded," he added.
Eyewitnesses said parts of the town centre, including the market, had been destroyed in the fighting.Eyewitnesses said parts of the town centre, including the market, had been destroyed in the fighting.
On Monday, the MNLA freed about 28 hostages it had abducted in Kidal on Saturday.On Monday, the MNLA freed about 28 hostages it had abducted in Kidal on Saturday.
It said their release was a humanitarian gesture.It said their release was a humanitarian gesture.
In 2012, a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup.In 2012, a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup.
Civilian rule was re-established in 2013 amid a French-led military intervention, but Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas.Civilian rule was re-established in 2013 amid a French-led military intervention, but Islamist and separatist forces remain active in some areas.